A RETIRED judge who was the first to be rescued by helicopter pilot Prince William after his wedding thanked him yesterday.

Nick Barnett, 70, had a heart attack while hill-walking in Snowdonia.

He said: “I’m grateful to Prince William and the crew and the member of Llanberis mountain rescue who came to my aid.

“The winchman did a wonderful job, as did the whole helicopter crew. You see all the documentaries and it all looks hair-raising. Until it happens to you, you don’t appreciate their skill and bravery.”

Flt Lt Wales flew the ex-Hong Kong High Court judge from the mountainside to Bangor hospital in North Wales after he collapsed on Wednesday.

Mr Barnett, a father-of-two from Midhurst, West Sussex, said: “I didn’t set out to be rescued by Prince William. My family and friends are all stunned.”